Brushing, flossing and regular dental visits – these are all staples for healthy teeth and gums, but unfortunately, they can only go so far. For a truly healthy smile, it’s also important to make the right lifestyle choices. In this post, we’ll discuss seven lifestyle choices that could affect the health of your teeth.
1. Smoking
There’s an Oasis song called “Cigarettes and Alcohol”. The title of the song might as well be about dental care because cigarettes and alcohol are both things that are bad for your teeth.
Did you know smoking is bad for your gums as well? The smoke from cigarettes has a toxic effect on gum tissue and also can impede the blood flow in your gums. Not to mention that smoking can stain your teeth and cause mouth cancer. It’s safe to say then that giving up smoking could be one of the best things you can do for your oral health.
2. Alcohol
As mentioned, alcohol is also bad for your teeth. This is because alcohol dehydrates your mouth, which allows bacteria to grow unimpeded. There’s also the fact that you’re more unlikely to remember to brush your teeth after a night of drinking.
3. Diet
Your diet can have a huge effect on your oral health, particularly if your diet is high in sugar. Eating sugar will encourage the bacteria in your mouth to grow and cause plaque, which will eventually cause tooth decay. So to keep your teeth healthy, it’s best to stick to a diet as low in sugar as possible.
4. Lack of sleep
Some studies suggest that the number of hours of sleep you get can affect your oral health. Specifically, if you don’t get much sleep, your body’s immune response can become impaired and make you more susceptible to problems such as gum disease.
5. Weight change
If you wear dentures, then avoid yo-yo dieting. This is because weight gain and weight loss will affect how your dentures fit. If you do wear dentures and you happen to lose or gain weight, then visit your dentist so he or she can readjust the fit of your dentures.
6. Medication
Some medications can affect your oral health. For example, some medications cause dry mouth which increases the risk of tooth decay. Other medications can stain your teeth.
Therefore, we recommend that you talk with your dentist or doctor before you take any new medications so that you can learn about possible any side-effects.
7. Stress
Stress can have a real effect on your oral health. For one thing, people who are under stress often grind their teeth at night, which can wear down their teeth over time. For another thing, research shows that stress can make us more susceptible to infections, such as gum disease. Then there’s the fact that people who are under a lot of stress often neglect to take care of their oral .health properly. So if you’re under stress, try to take time out to relax and take care of yourself.
Need more information? Call us for an appointment
If you’d like to speak to a dentist about any of the above issues, then book an appointment with us by calling 01282 428435. One of our receptionists will be happy to help.
